October 29 at 7:30pm here at Saint James Place in Great Barrington: Orchestral Concert “Italian Concerti“
Famous Baroque solo concerti from Bologna and Venice to London.
Performers
Crescendo Period Instrument Orchestra, Jeremy Rhizor, concertino / solo violin,
with soloists Chris Belluscio natural trumpet, Hideki Yamaya, mandolino, Christine Gevert, organ
Directed by Christine Gevert, Founding Artistic Director of Crescendo
Works by Antonio Vivaldi, Arcangelo Corelli, Giuseppe Torelli, Allesandro Stradella, Tomaso Albinoni, George Frideric Handel
Works
Antonio Vivaldi (1674-1741) Concerto in C major RV 537 for two trumpets, strings and basso continuo
Concerto in C major, RV 425 for Mandolin, strings and basso continuo
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) Sonata in D major for two trumpets and strings
Allesandro Stradella (1639-1682) Sonata à 4 for two trumpets, two violins and basso continuo
Giuseppe Torelli (1658-1709) Concerto in D major for trumpet, strings and organ
Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1751) Concerto in B flat major Op.9/1 for violin and orchestra
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Concerto F major HWV 293 for Organ, strings and basso continuo
More details, tickets, and updates on their new website: www.Crescendomusic.org
About the Music
The concerto form was popularized by Rome-based composer Arcangelo Corelli, and by the end of the 18th century it dominated Italian instrumental music. It developed out of the trio sonata and its three solo instruments—two violins and cello—were accompanied by strings and continuo. Violin virtuosity reached a new height around the year 1700. Composers like Corelli, who was himself a virtuoso violinist, were the first who enjoyed international recognition for their strictly instrumental ensemble works at a time that vocal music – mainly opera – was still predominant in Europe. The new instruments and new ability to distribute music in printed editions motivated and challenged composers to write technically demanding music that would have wide appeal. Antonio Vivaldi, born in Venice in 1678, took advantage of these new trends in the music industry. He also was an outstanding violin virtuoso—his playing was so exhilarating and daring that a contemporary described himself as “terrified” when he heard it.
Another virtuoso violinist and violist,Giuseppe Torelli, influenced the development of the concerto grosso and the instrumental concerto greatly as well during his tenure in Bologna. His friendship with virtuoso trumpeter Giovanni Pellegrino Brandi later led him to compose over 30 pieces for trumpet and orchestra, contributing significant to the trumpet’s rise to prominence. Many of Handel’s concertos were composed for performance in the intervals of his own oratorios. These include organ concertos that Handel himself performed, and two sets of concerti grossi. The concertos represent Handel’s response to the Italian concerti grossi that were then fashionable.